Table spread dispenser



April 13, 1965 H. J. KENNEDY 3,173,076

I TABL'E SPREAD DISPENSER Filed April 25, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 12 5o 36 so; fi L- 25W 26 1 45 5 Hit IIIII H 24- a DDDDDDDDUDD ,l /%-/4 Fig. 9 4 62 Fig. 4

MR... 32 64 30 12 24 Ham/dd Kennedy /3 20 INVENTOK.

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April 15*,- 1965 H. J. KENNEDY 3,178,075,

TABLE SPREAD DISPENSER Filed April 25, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Harold .1 Kennedy IN VE N TO K.

and? H United States Patent 3,178,076 TABLE SPREAD DISPENSER Harold J. Kennedy, tlloverdale, Inrh, assignor of fifty percent to Renos E. Haitom, Cioverdale, ind. Filed Apr. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 275,699 (Ilaims. ((11. 222391) This invention relates to a novel and useful table spread dispenser and more specifically to a dispenser which is adapted to house one-quarter pound sticks of table spreads or the like although it is to be noted that the dispenser may also be utilized to house and dispense various sizes or amounts of table spread and the like.

The table spread dispenser of the instant invention has as its primary object the provision of an apparatus by which table spread and the like may be dispensed from the container while the latter is being used as a spreader or to intermittently dispense measured quantities of various types of table spreads therefrom.

A further object of this invention, in accordance with the preceding object, is to provide a dispenser for table spreads and the like that may be conveniently used with little effort as an applicator and also as a fully closed container for temporarily storing the table spread disposed therein.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a table spread dispenser which may be readily periodically cleaned each time the quantity of table spread therein is to be replenished.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a table spread dispenser in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts througout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of the table spread dispenser;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly illustrated in FIGURE 1 but shown with the slide thereof removed;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing through the longitudinal center line of the dispenser;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional View similar to that of FIGURE 3 of the drawings but showing the component parts of the dispenser in different positions;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line d6 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is an exploded perspective view of the slide and actuator of the dispenser;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the dispenser being utilized as an applicator for applying table spread to a piece of bread;

FEGURE 9 is a perspective view of an adapter for the discharge end of the dispenser; and

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 10-lil of FIGURE 9.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the table spread dispenser dldfllfi Patented Apr. 13, 1965 of the instant invention which includes an elongated tubular housing 12. The housing 12 is generally square in cross section so as to readily conform to the conventional one-quarter pound sticks of table spreads and is open at opposite ends. section is snugly and slidably received in the housing 12 and has a bore 16 formed through its center. An elon gated operator or actuator 18 including a shank portion 20 is slidably received through the bore 16 and includes a conical terminal end portion 22.

The container 19 includes a detent or ratchet connection generally referred to by the reference numeral 24 which drivingly connects the operator 18 to the piston 14. The ratchet connection 24 includes inclined ratchet teeth 26 formed along one side of the shank portion 20 and a detent follower or ratchet dog 28 constructed of spring steel or the like and secured to the piston 14 by means of a suitable fastener 30. The free end of the dog 28 is engageable with the teeth 26 and it will thus be noted that upon longitudinal reciprocation of the shank portion 29 the piston 14 will be advanced toward the forward end of the housing 12 which may be closed by a removable cap 32.

The housing 12 includes a top wall 34 to which L- shaped angle members 36 are secured. The angle members 35 define a passage 38 therebetween which is generally rectangular in cross section and snugly and slidably receives the slide 4%. The slide 49 is strip-like and is provided with a thumb grip 42 on its forward end and a laterally opening notch 44 at its rear end. The operator 18 includes a laterally directed arm 45 which is generally square in cross section including one pair of adjacent sides 46 and 48 having grooves 50 and 52 respectively formed therein.

The rear end of the housing 12 may also be closed by means of a removable cover 54 telescoped thereover and the top wall 3 and the bottom Wall 55 each include a pair of apertures 58 for the reception of the outer ends of the spring-urged pins 60 which are partially recessed in the adapter grill 62. The adapter grill 62 is substantially square in plan outline and is snugly receivable in the forward end of the housing 12. The adapter 62 is provided with a pair of generally parallel slots 64 and therefore may be utilized to enable the housing 12 to dispense a plurality of ribbons of table spread when the adapter 62 is secured in the forward end of the housing 12 with the free ends of the pins 60 received in the apertures 53.

The free end of the arm 45 may be swung into interlocking engagement with the rear end of the slide 4th with portions of the slide 4t! defining the notch 44 received in the grooves 59 and 52 formed in the arm 45. In operation, the rear cap 54 may first be removed in order that the piston 14, the operator l3, and the slide 48 may be moved rearwardly of the housing 12 a sufficient distance to position the piston at the rear end of the housing. Then, with the piston 14 held stationary, the operator l8 and the slide '40 may be moved still further rearwardly of the housing 12 in order to position the conical point 22 of the operator 18 within the forward end of the bore 16 formed in the piston. Then, the front cap 32 may be removed and a one-quarter pound stick of table spread may be inserted into the forward end of the housing 12. Thereafter, the arm 45 may be swung from engagement with the slide 40 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 5 of the drawings in order that the operator 1%, after having replaced the front cap 32, may be pushed forwardly through the quarter pound stick of spread within the housing 12. Thereafter, the slide 40 may also be moved forwardly of the housing 12 until the notch 44 formed in the rear end thereof is disposed in the plane through which the arm 45 may be swung.

A piston M which is square in cross 3 7 At this time, the arm 45 is swung to a position interlockingly engaged with the slide 40. Thereafter, the rear cap 54 may be replaced and if it is subsequently desired to dispense table spread from the housing 12 the front cap 32 may be removed and the slide pushed forwardly by means of the thumb grip 42 in order to extend a portion of the quarter pound stick of table spread within the housing 12 outwardly beyond the forward end of the latter. Thereafter, the housing 12 may be used as anapplicator as shownin FIGURE 8 of the drawings -to spread a piece of bread 66 with the table spread 68.

Otherwise, the extended portion of the table spread may be cut from the remainder of the stick disposed within the housing-12. After the slide has reached its forward limit of travel defined by the forward end of the slot 70 formed in the top wall 34, the slide 40 may then be moved rearwardly a sufficient distance to engage the dog 28 with the next tooth 26 on the operator 18, the piston being held stationary in the housing 12 by means of the frictional engagement between it and the'internal surfaces of the housing 12 and anyresidue of table spread clinging to the walls of the housing 12. In addi-,

tion, the residue of table spread clinging to the internal surfaces of the walls of the housing 12 will act as a seal between the piston 14 and the wallsof the housing 12 thereby enabling the formation of a partial vacuum forwardly of the piston 14 upon rearward movement of to dispense a further quantity of table spread from the .housing 12. Additionally, and as previously set forth,

the adapter 62 may be secured in the forward end of the housing 12 in order that a plurality of ribbons of a table spread mybe dispensed from the housing 12.

When it 'is desired to temporarily store the container 10 with a quantityof table spread therein, the front cap may be applied to the housing. In this manner the table spread will be completely enclosed. The rear cap 54 has a cross-sectional shape conforming to the cross-sectional shape of the rear of the housing 12 and therefore completely encloses the slot 70 and the connection between the slide 40 and the arm 45.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be restored to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

' What is claimed as new as follows:

1. A table spread dispenser comprising an elongated housing open at its front and rear ends and adapted to snugly and slidably receive therein an elongated section of molded table spread extending longitudinally of said housing, a piston snugly and slidably disposed in said housing, of a cross-sectional shape conforming to the internal cross-sectional shape of said housing, and having a bore formed axially therethrough, an elongated opera-V tor extending through said bore and oscillatable therein between .first and second positions, said operator having longitudinally spaced ratchet teeth formed on one side thereof opening toward the front of said housing, said piston including a ratchet dog supported therefrom and disposed rearwardly of the front face of said piston and engage with said teeth when said operator is in said first position for intermittently advancing said piston toward said front end of said housing in response to reciprocating movement of said operator, a slide mounted on one side of said housing for reciprocable movement longitudinally of the-latter including, a portion engageable from the exterior of said housing, the rear end of said one side of said housing having a longitudinally extending and rearwardly opening slot formed therein, the rear end of said operator including a laterally directed arm projecting through said slot when said operator is in said first position, said slide and the outer end of said laterally directed arm including coacting portions releasably engageable with each other upon lateral movement of the free end of said arm toward said slide for locking said slide and said operator against relative movement longitudinally of said housing, rotational movement of said operator relative to said piston,

from said first position to said second position being sufficient to disengage said coacting portions of said operator and slide preventing relative movement between the latter and said operator longitudinally of said housing.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 including a removable rear cap for the rear end of said housing telescopically engaged therewith and enclosing said slot and the free end portion of said arm projecting outwardly of said slot.

3. The dispenser of claim 1 including a generally panel-like grill of a plan shape and cross-sectional area adapted to be snugly received within the open forward end of said housing and including means for releasably retaining said grill in said 'forward end of said housing.

'4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said slide comprises an elongated panel-like member extending longitudinally of said one side of said housing, said one side of said housing including channel defining means slidably receiving said slide.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said coacting means'carried by the free end of said arm and said slide include portions of said slide defining a notch opening transversely of said one side of said housing in which the free end portion of said arm is snugly receivable 7 when said operator is in said first position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

Moore 10752 X 

1. A TABLE SPREAD DISPENSER COMPRISING AN ELONGATED HOUSING OPEN AT ITS FRONT AND REAR ENDS AND ADAPTED TO SNUGLY AND SLIDABLY RECEIVE THEREIN AN ELONGATED SECTION OF MOLDED TABLE SPREAD EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID HOUSING, A PISTON SNUGLY AND SLIDABLY DISPOSED IN SAID HOUSING, OF A CROSS-SECTIONAL SHAPE CONFORMING TO THE INTERNAL CROSS-SECTIONAL SHAPE OF SAID HOUSING, AND HAVING A BORE FORMED AXIALLY THERETHROUGH, AN ELONGATED OPERATOR EXTENDING THROUGH SAID BORE AND OSCILLATABLE THEREIN BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS, SAID OPERATOR HAVING LONGITUDINALLY SPACED RATCHET TEETH FORMED ON ONE SIDE THEREOF OPENING TOWARD THE FRONT OF SAID HOUSING, SAID PISTON INCLUDING A RATCHET DOG SUPPORTD THEREFROM AND DISPOSED REARWARDLY OF THE FRONT FACE OF SAID PISTON AND ENGAGE WITH SAID TEETH WHEN SAID OPERATOR IS IN SAID FIRST POSITION FOR INTERMITTENTLY ADVANCING SAID PISTON TOWARD SAID FRONT END OF SAID HOUSING IN RESPONSE TO RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT OF SAID OPERATOR, A SLIDE MOUNTED ON ONE SIDE OF SAID HOUSING FOR RECIPROCABLE MOVEMENT LONGITUDINALLY OF THE LATTER INCLUDING A PORTION ENGAGEABLE FROM THE EXTERIOR OF SAID HOUSING, THE REAR END OF SAID ONE SIDE OF SAID HOUSING HAVING A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING AND REARWARDLY OPENING SLOT FORMED THEREIN, THE REAR END OF SAID OPERATOR INCLUDING A LATERALLY DIRECTED ARM PROJECTING THROUGH SAID SLOT WHEN SAID OPERATOR IS IN SAID FIRST POSITION, SAID SLIDE AND THE OUTER END OF SAID LATERALLY DIRECTED ARM INCLUDING COACTING PORTIONS RELEASABLY ENGAGEABLE WITH EACH OTHER UPON LATERAL MOVEMENT OF THE FREE END OF SAID ARM TOWARD SAID SLIDE FOR LOCKING SAID SLIDE AND SAID OPERATOR AGAINST RELATIVE MOVEMENT LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID HOUSING, ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT OF SAID OPERATOR RELATIVE TO SAID PISTON FROM SAID FIRST POSITION TO SAID SECOND POSITION BEING SUFFICIENT TO DISENGAGE SAID COACTING PORTIONS OF SAID OPERATOR AND SLIDE PREVENTING RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE LATTER AND SAID OPERATOR LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID HOUSING. 